Olympic medalist Yoel Romero eyes UFC's light heavyweight title

Unless your name is Randy Couture, attempting to launch a mixed-martial-arts career in your mid-30s isn’t generally a great idea.

Of course, when you’re a chiseled, 5-foot-10 light heavyweight and former Olympic wrestling silver medalist, you get to call the shots.

And so it is for Cuban-born monster Yoel Romero (4-0), an undefeated prospect who, at 34 years old, has one singular goal: to wrap the UFC’s 205-pound belt around his waist.

“The experiences I have had in life are great, but I do wish I would have been able to start MMA earlier so I could be at the level my Cuban friends and counterparts are at,” Romero recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) through an interpreter. “But I want to continue fighting until I am a UFC champion.”

If it’s true that you have to be good at everything and great at one thing to succeed at the highest level of MMA, then Romero is well on his way. He’s certainly got the “great” part down, earning a silver medal in freestyle wrestling at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and scoring a fourth-place finish in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. He’s also a five-time medalist in the World Championships, including a first-place run in 1999.

“The discipline that comes from training in wrestling will make me a success in MMA,” Romero said. “To be an Olympian, training everyday is your life. It’s the one thing that you need as a professional athlete that has helped me transition to MMA and that not all MMA fighters have.”

Powerful and relentless, two of Romero’s first four victories have come after his opponent simply retired from the match rather than weather any more abuse. In just his second fight, Romero became a bit of a YouTube sensation with one of the most dramatic ankle-pick takedowns ever seen in the sport.

Perhaps just as impressive, Romero’s first two victims, Sascha Weinpolter and Michal Fijalka, each brought 6-1 marks into their bout with the wrestling standout.

Romero said despite his lack of experience in MMA, his years in wrestling have left him mentally prepared for any situation and impervious to intimidation from any foe, regardless of pedigree.

“In wrestling, I fought the best in the world, so every time I beat one of them, I think it proved how good I am,” Romero said. “I believe I am one of the most decorated wrestlers actively competing in MMA right now. I love combat sports, and right now, that is my life.”

With less than 19 minutes of total cage time thus far in his MMA career, Romero is still developing his striking and submission skills. His younger brother, Yoan Pablo Hernandez, is a professional boxer with a 24-1 mark and is assisting Romero with his hands. But Romero said he’s working hard on all phases of the striking game.

“Yoan and I both have very competitive spirits and followed what we love,” Romero said. “I’m excited I get to work with him now on my standup, and he is a huge part of my training.

“I train everyday and have been at a K-1 kickboxing academy for the past several years, so I’m working a lot to improve. My wrestling is already world-class, so I focus on my weaknesses.”

If he’s able to bring his striking skills even remotely close to the level of his wrestling prowess, Romero might prove a threat at the sport’s highest level. At just 5-foot-10, he’d certainly be one of the shortest elite-level light heavyweights in the world. But while Romero believes he could potentially drop down a division, he said he feels most comfortable at 205 pounds.

There are rumblings that Romero may soon make his U.S. debut, but nothing has yet been announced. So for now, Romero keeps his head down and grinds away in the gym, confident he’ll be able to make an immediate impact on the global stage if only given a chance.

“My goal first and foremost is to be a great father and family man,” Romero said. “But I also want to make a name for myself in this sport.

“I want to thank all of my fans and supporters, as well as my coaches and training partners and my managers at ML Management. I miss competing at the highest level of wrestling, and now I am ready to compete at the highest level of MMA.”

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